Situated in the village of Scartaglen, Co Kerry, thecentre accommodates a 200 seater auditorium -suitable for shows, drama and dancing-, meetingrooms and kitchen area. The centre is also suitable for rehearsals, exhibitions, talks and workshops, and is a key community space and facility.

The centre takes its name from the renowed ‘Sliabh Luachra’ area, which isthe mountainy area along the Cork/Kerry border and was the uninhabitedwet, marshy, rushy, mountain area of the old Kingdom of Luachra first notedin the ‘Annals of Inisfallen’ in 534. The area is renowned worldwide for itsdistinctive cultural including music, dance, poetry and song.

Following extension and renovation the centre opened in May 2000. Inaddition to its remit as a Cultural and Heritage Centre it also hosts a widevariety of events throughout the year. The centre has key successes to datethrough its Rambling House, ‘Handed Down Sessions’ and as part of theSliabh Luachra Music Trail, these are particular initiatives to preserve theSliabh Luachra Culture, which was in danger of disappearing. The SliabhLuachra Drama Group hosts an Annual play in the centre since 2001. Recentlythrough financial support from NEWKD the centre has upgraded its audio andvisual data systems to enhance production quality.

The Kerry Group mark – version 3

COMMUNITY VIBRANCY RECOGNITION PROGRAMME2017-2019NEWKD in partnership with Kerry Group aredelighted to announce Sliabh Luachra Culture &Heritage Centre as the 14th recipient of theCommunity Vibrancy Recognition Programme.

This is a three-year initiative (2017-2019) aimed atrecognising the diversity and vibrancy of communitywork throughout the region. Every year NEWKDworks with over 500 community groups, businessesand initiatives under our 4 Strategic Pillars:• Social Supports• Employment Services• Enterprise and Tourism• Community, Environment & Rural Development

The ‘Community Vibrancy Recognition Programme’pays tribute to a number of recipients each year.Each project is selected for their uniqueness,vibrancy and responsiveness to addressing localneed. Recipients are nominated locally through theNEWKD structures which operate in Tralee, Listowel,Castleisland and Dingle, and are exemplars of bestpractices and innovative solutions in social,economic and environmental development, whilegiving recognition to community leadership andentrepreneurs.

Previous recipients:1. Glanageenty Walkways2. The Kerry Food Hub, Firies3. Ballybunion Men’s Shed4. Dingle New Music Choir and Orchestra5. Baile Mhuire Day Care Centre6. Ballybunion Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels7. Mol Teic - Dingle Creativity and Innovation Hub8. NEWKD’s Local Area Advisory Councils (LAACs)9. Castleisland Community Garden10. Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club Castleisland11. Áras Mhuire Nursing Home12. Kerryhead/Ballyheigue Family Resource Centre13. Community Café, Ballyduff

Sliabh Luachra Culture and Heritage Centre

SUPPORT FROM NEWKD• RSS - Rural Social Scheme - minor works.

• SICAP, through developmental supports, capacity building and group support and intervention.

• LEADER Programme: In 1999 €150,000 grant from ‘Leader 1’, in 2019 €10,500 towards upgrading of audio and visual data systems.

GOOD PRACTICE & LEARNING:• The core aim of the committee is to manage the operation of the Sliabh Luachra Cultural and Heritage Centre, to promote the strong cultural and heritage tradition in the area and to facilitate the provision of space and activities which respond to local needs.

• Involvement of all stakeholders on the committee has been key to the success of the centre, nominations are held annually, membership includes: - Scartaglen Youth Club - Sliabh Luachra Drama Group - Over 55’s Social Club - Sliabh Luachra Rambling House - Scartaglen GAA - Scartaglen Ladies Football - Community Childcare Centre - Tidy Towns - Parents Council, National School - Local Link Kerry - Island Crown CE Scheme - Founding Members

• To learn from similar projects through shared visits.

• Harness the knowledge and skill set of the committee, motivate and support each other.

• Investment in community is central to success.

NEWKD and Kerry Group wish to acknowledge and thank all those who have contributed to

SLIABH LUACHRA CULTURE AND HERITAGE CENTRE

Presented in recognition of the valuable contribution the centre makes to the:

• Community Vibrancy specifically to the promotion of Cultural and Heritage

• Social Supports in the provision of essential community supports activities

• Community, Environment and Rural Development Leadership

May 2019

RECOGNITION PROGRAMME

VIBRANCY

The Kerry Group mark – version 3

Activities in the centre include:• Over 55’s Social Club - Thursday mornings• Sliabh Luachra Drama Group - Annual play held since 2001. Recent productions have been: - 2019: Translations - 2018: Far Off Hills - 2017: Sharon’s Grave• Rambling House, held 2nd Monday of every month, a traditional Irish Night featuring musicians, singers and storytellers• Youth club - September to May• Cooking Demonstrations and classes• Dancing Weekly on a Sunday nights organised by JJ Herlihy• Traditional Irish Music Lessons• Traditional Irish Dancing Lessons• Handed Down Sessions held monthly leading in to Annual World Fiddle Festival organised by PJ Teahan• Local Link Kerry operate from the centre on a full time basis. As one of 17 Local Link offices National, Local Link Kerry have responsibility for the co-ordination and delivery of public transport services in rural areas and operate as an agent of the National Transport Authority.

The core centre activities are delivered and/or supported throughthe Over 55’s Group including catering for events, meetings, funeralsand the day to day operations.

CONTACT DETAILSSliabh Luachra Culture and Heritage CentreScartaglin, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93FKV6Tel. 087 1818272, Email: teachcultuir@gmail.com